Kansas City to St.Louis
In order to merit Iron Butt Association SaddleSore 1000
(1000 miles in 24 hours) certification--I needed documentation, including witnesses, a trip log, gas and food
receipts, etc. I took the precaution of getting two Start and End witnesses. I first went to the
local constabulary and got one of KCMO's finest to verify mileage, etc. I then rode a couple of
miles to a convenience store (Quik Trip #176 in Westport) that served as my official Start and
End points. On returning to KC, I went to the Quik Trip first for the official finish time and then
to the cop shop for backup verification. The same sergeant was on duty that night, so he did
both the Start and End verifications.
DATE TIME LOCATION ODOMETER
Start 7/6/02 3:10:53 AM 1301 WESTPORT RD, KANSAS CITY, MO 35825
Finally, after weeks of planning - on the road, again.
The first leg to Columbia was a quick one. Once I got clear of the KC Metro area, I was
greeted by a pale orange crescent moon that grew more distinct with each mile. The night air
was cool, with a layer of ground mist -- but it was not thick enough to seriously impede my progress
through it. The road was in remarkably good condition. It was newly paved for a good
portion of this leg. It was perfect for the near 80 mph I was doing. My first stop was
made at a Quik Trip just north of the intersection of I-70 and U.S.63.
DATE TIME LOCATION ODOMETER
1 7/6/02 5:05 AM 3211 CLARK LN, COLUMBIA, MO 35954
After Columbia, the road conditions deteriorated considerably. I came across several sections
under construction, but it was still too early for any activity. That, plus the fact
that it was a holiday weekend. I would encounter other construction sites, later in the day,
that had suspended operations for an extended weekend.
As I approached St.Louis, I was glad that
some of the morning haze had persisted. The rising sun that should have been blinding me merely
appeared as the proverbial "Red Rubber Ball", suspended in the morning sky.
I work close to Kansas City International, and I see airliners crossing perpendicular to I-35
all the time. But, as I came upon Lambert Field, the sight of a "wide-body" making
its final approach along the course of I-70 struck me as a bit disconcerting. I felt as though
I had wandered onto one of the main runways.
I made a wrong turn onto the approach to the M L King Bridge in downtown St. Louis. A quick U-Turn
prevented a premature crossing of the Mississippi, but had me headed west on I-70 back towards
Kansas City! I got off on the first exit, but was surprised to find that I couldn't get back on
I-70 going east! I had to ride sidestreets back to the downtown area only to find the on-ramps to
I-55 blocked by police cars and barricades. I had absolutely no clue. When I asked a cop if they
were blocking off the entire downtown area, he said, "Yes, were having a big parade!" July 6th?
Fine.
DATE TIME LOCATION ODOMETER
2 7/6/02 7:18 AM STATE HWY 203 AT I 55 N, Fairmont City, IL 36082
After finally crossing into Illinois, there were no gas stations visible near I-55. I got
off of I-55 in East St. Louis to verify that I had crossed the river downtown and not further north on I-270.
I couldn't find a gas station nor an on-ramp back onto I-55, so I again took some side roads. Luckily, I
came upon a newly built gas station just a couple hundred feet from the I-55 and IL Rte 203 interchange.
According to MapQuest, the interchange is in East St. Louis, but evidently the gas station is in
Fairmont City. A minor point.
Sweet Home, Chicago!
